Reflector



Patented Nov. 2, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REFLECTOR James M. Wolf, Boston, Mass., asslgnor, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America as I represented by the Secretary at War Application April 28 1944, Serial No. 533,234

2 (cl. sea-1a) 1 This invention relates to a reflector, and more particularly to an energy reflector adapted for use with radio echo detection systems to define the corners and boundaries of airports and the A reflector constructed in accordance with the present invention has three plane reflecting sheets, each sheet disposed at right angles to the other two. Energy rays striking any one of the sheets will reflect therefrom and from either or both of the other two sheets, the reflected rays being in a direction parallel to theineidence rays.

In the drawing. Fi 1 is a plane view of the individual components of the reflector, and Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the assembled reflector. Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, one plane surface of the reflector comprises supporting sheet 5, preferably rectangular or square in shape. having perpendicular apertures or slits 6 and l which intersect in the central portion of the sheet. Slits 6 and I terminate in enlarged ends 8, 9, l0, and H Just short of the edges of sheet 5. Two cooperating plane sheets l5, which when assembled intersect at right angles both with each other and with sheet 5, are provided. Sheet it, also preferably rectangular or square in shape. has a slit l6 extending from the center thereof to an edge. Two shorter slits l'! and I8 oppositely extend inwardly from the midpoints of the sheet edges which parallel aperture ii. The length ofslits I1 and i8 corresponds to the distance the ends of apertures 8 and I of sheet 5 are short oftheir respective edges.

- The reflector is assembled by folding portions 19 and 20 of sheet l5 along the indicated dotted lines. Sheet I! then is inserted in. for example,

aperture 1- cf-sheet 5. Slit enlargements I and II of the aperture are of suitable size to receive the folded portions i8 and 20 of sheet ll. When the two pieces have thusbeen'assembled, folded portions I 9 and 20 may be returned to their unfiflded position to lock the pieces against separa- Second sheet I! is prepared for-assembly by folding portions 2! and 22 along their indicated dotted lines. Slits, It in the two pieces I! cooperate to permit perpendicular interiltting of the The assembled reflector, shown in Fig. 2, thus presents three perpendicular plane surfaces to incidence rays striking the reflector at any angle. Therefore. rays parallel to the incidence rays will be reflected from the device regardless of the vertical and horizontal angles of incidence. I

The three sheets of the reflector may be made of metal, or they may be made of cardboard or some lighter material, if desired. A coating of metallic foil or conducting paint may be applied to thereflecting surfaces if cardboard is used.

It will be seen that this invention provides a simple, convenient, and effective reflector which may be carriedflat and which may be easily and quickly assembled or disassembled. Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An energy reflector having associated sheets presenting perpendicular plane surfaces to incidence rays whereby rays parallel thereto are reflected regardless of incidence my direction, said reflector comprising a supporting sheet having two sheets so that second sheet I! may be re I ceived in aperture 8 of sheet 8. Similarly." the folded portions "and 22. which have passed second sheet ill in the assembly.

through slit enlargements and it. maybe recentrally intersecting perpendicular slits therein which terminate short of the sheet edges, and two cooperating sheets perpendicular to each other and to said supporting sheet, said cooperating sheets each having a slit extending from its center to an edge whereby the sheets may be interfltted to be received in said perpendicular slits of said supporting sheet. and means for holding said supporting sheet to said interiltted sheets, said sheets having energy reflecting surfaces.

2. An energy reflector having associated sheets presenting perpendicular plane surfaces to incidence rays whereby rays parallel thereto are re ilected regardless of incidence ray direction, said reflector comprising a supporting sheet having centrally intersecting perpendicular slits therein whichterminate in enlarged ends short of the sheet edges, and two cooperating sheetsperpendicular to each other and to said supporting sheet,

said cooperating sheets each having a slit extend- 1 ing from its center to an edge whereby the sheets may be interfltted, said sheets also having slits extending inwardly from the midpoints of the edges parallel to said first named slit, said last named slits interfltting with said supporting sheet, each of said sheets having energy reflecting surfaces.

JAMES McNAlR WOLF. 

